Thursday, February 18, 2010

When I did this challenge last year, I did not exercise. I actually stopped working out altogether for the month of February. This year, I have aimed to maintain my exercise routine (doing p90x, ukrainian dancing and playing volleyball)

Up until this past weekend, I was dong alright. My energy levels were fairly high and I was able to maintain my workouts. I also was able to maintain the intensity of each workout, without feeling sore afterwards. This week things took a different turn.

During my regular Monday workout I was doing well until I took a small break in the halfway point. I found it hard to push myself through the remainder and once I finished (2 exercises early) I felt extremely sick. I layed on the bathroom floor for 30 minutes and felt so weak. The following day I was extremely sore. Not just normal soreness, but almost pain. This is not something I have ever felt before. But I can contribute it to the diet and the exhaustion that comes with it.

I guess when doing something like this you cannot push you body to the extreme in multiple ways. I am eating a lot less than I normally would, but pushing my body harder at the same time. It is hard to give up the exercise, but I just don't know if I have the energy to do it.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Nearly every day someone tries to push free food on us. They seem a bit disappointed, a bit disgusted when we refuse to eat a free pasta, sandwiches, morning donuts and the likes. Low income earners wouldn’t turn down a free meal, they remind us. I don’t argue because that’s not my point.

We are trying to make this a real challenge. We want to experience the physical and mental anguish that those less fortunate face on a daily basis. Sure they may be offered a free meal from time to time, but I’m certain there are longer stretches when they aren’t offered any free meals. We want to experience those frequent, longer periods when our $80 is all you have for the month.

Those same co-workers who persuade us to eat free food also fail to realize that employers who pay their workers minimum wage aren’t likely to provide lunches for their co-workers. There’s a reason why they pay their workers low wages. They can’t afford to pay them more, let alone shell out lunch and donuts. I’ve worked for a small companies and larger companies. Most of my friends work for large corporations. When meetings are scheduled over lunch, lunch is often provided. When your boss wants to show his appreciation for a job well done, lunch is provided. It you’re working for $6 an hour, I highly doubt your boss is going to take you out for lunch to thank you for working overtime that week.

1:50 p.m. It's Family Day today, so I work up rather late and haven't eaten anything yet.Breakfast: nothingLunch: nothingDinner: 2 cups of rice and three small beef meatballs. 1 cup of milk, 1 orange

The Working Poor Diet

For the entire month of February each of us will spend $80 a month on food and attempt to follow the Canada Food Guide.

The economic realityDespite being one of the wealthiest provinces in the country, Alberta`s minimum wage of $8.40 is the fourth lowest in the country and about 21% of working Albertans earn less than $12 per hour. The Working Poor Diet challenges Canadians to understand the difficulties low-income families face putting healthy food on the table each day.

Eating wellThe Canada Food Guide describes what amount of food people need and what type of food is part of a healthy eating pattern - Vegetables and Fruit, Grain Products, Milk and Alternatives, and Meat and Alternatives - plus a certain amount of added oils and fats.

Our goalThe key goal of the Working Poor Diet is to raise money for the Edmonton Food Bank. While the food bank receives many dry food donations, it needs money for operating costs such as rent, insurance and gas.

The rules1. No free food. This means participants can not eat sample food available at grocery stories or food offered by friends and family. All food consumed during the challenge must be paid for out of the $80 food allowance.2. Participants must follow the Canada Food Guide as closely as possible and eat a variety of meals.3. Participants are allowed to eat out, but they must deduct the cost of the meal from the $80 monthly food allowance.4. The costs of any beverages, including tea and coffee, must be deducted from the $80 monthly food allowance.5. Participants do not have to pay for salt, pepper, vinegar and dry spices - food items that have no nutritional value or ability to fill you up. Participants must pay for cooking oil and any condiments from the $80 monthly food allowance.6. The diet begins12:01 am, February 1 and runs through to February 28. 6:00 pm.